Day Fifteen: A picture of something you want to do before you die



I think maybe I have this image in my head from a music video, but I have always dreamt of driving cross country in an antique convertible (I would prefer a Camaro over the above pictured Mustang, please).  It has to be a convertible because part of the dream is riding in the passenger seat with my bare feet hanging out the side.  The weather will be perfect every single day of the trip.  We will have an endless supply of cash so that we can stop anywhere that looks interesting and explore what it has to offer.  Oh yeah, and we will be fully equipped with awesome music to last us from VA to CA.

No . . . but seriously . . . I want to drive cross country before I die.

Happy 1st Birthday, Jackson!



Happy 1st Birthday, Jackson!

There it is:  that candid 1-year-old photograph of Jackson Scott.

This month has brought with it so much growing and changing for this beautiful boy.  Now, Justin and I must just grow used to saying that we have a 1-year-old.  It's so hard to believe!  Since I last updated you, Jax started "cruising" on furniture and then very quickly progressed to "walking" with the aid of his rolling toys.  He can also crawl up the stairs--entirely--from bottom step to the newly-installed baby gate at the top of the stair case.  We are anxiously awaiting his first independent steps which are most certainly just around the corner!

Jackson "talks" constantly (wonder where he gets that from?), and this month has brought the dawn of what I like to call "nonsense" sentences.  It is so precious to listen to him jabber using inflection and varying volumes--no real words, mind you.  I cannot say he has truly learned any new words this month, but he is beginning to "parrot" adults when they speak to them . . . such as repeating "Hi Daddy" after me or what sounds like "Thank you."  Tonight, mom and I swear we heard him repeat "Red Lobster."  Maybe we're getting a bit over zealous?

Jackson was completely transitioned off of infant formula this month as well (and our wallets are thanking him).  Instead, he drinks whole milk with his meals.  Never taking a sippy cup, Jackson skipped straight into those toddler cups with the pop up straws (and loves them!).  We joke that it's because he doesn't have to turn them up--after all, he literally never held his own bottle.  Lazy boy!  Soon, we are going to begin working on learning to use a spoon by himself--brave, I know.

On every other front, however, Jackson is anything but lazy!  This month he learned to clap his hands . . . them clap them whenever we sing "Pat-A-Cake," and to follow the command "up and down."  That translates to bending at the knees when we say "down" and then popping back up when we say "up."  Think "baby squats."  *grin*  Hilariously, Jackson also learned to shake his head "NO" this month.  Thankfully, he hasn't picked up disobeying our requests yet.  However, we get a good laugh when he starts to do something he knows he's not supposed to do . . . and automatically shakes his head "NO" on his way to do it.  Hey, at least he's been listening, right?  His favorite things to play with are paper and empty water bottles.  Go figure!

We go for his check-up on Tuesday, so I'll have to keep you posted on his height and weight.  He eats like a piggy . . . but is still fairly slim . . . still wearing size 12-18 months!  Maybe that's from all of his new exercise!

Now, for what you've really been waiting for:  photos from his big day!

His first face of the morning.

Birthday cake for breakfast (do I sense a tradition?)

Yummy!

He's one good-lookin' birthday fella!

Who clearly knows how to party . . .

With all family members!

He enjoyed his gifts, too!

Then . . . at 5:20 PM (the minute he was born), I snapped this picture:

You know, checking his text messages . . . naturally.

Lastly, Jackson enjoyed his birthday dinner at Red Lobster!

Umm . . . Umm . . . good!

We had a wonderful time celebrating the wonderful year Jackson was born!

It's hard to believe how quickly time flies . . .

Happy 1st Birthday, Jackson!

. . . and many more . . .

Day Fourteen: A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without



We have a winner!

Hands down.

It's amazing the way motherhood works--you've never even met this little person growing inside you, and from the moment you lay eyes on him, you are instantly more in love than you've ever been before.  The first year is all about getting to know one another--teaching each other new things--experiencing life through another's eyes--and reframing the way you think of your own life.  Suddenly, because I'm "mom," my life is so much more important than it ever was before Jackson.

How ironic that this particular "challenge" fell on May 5th, Jackson's birthday.  He has only been in my life for one year--but, I could never imagine my life without him.

365 Days

365 days

I took an extra long time rocking Jackson to sleep tonight . . . teary eyed . . . reminiscent.  He felt so big in my arms--the tip of his fluffy hair at my nose--his little feet dangling and spilling over my lap.  I thought about how one year ago tonight . . . he was nestled tightly--still inside my womb.  The experience was overwhelmingly surreal.

I laid my 11-month old to sleep in his crib--tomorrow morning I will retrieve my 1-year old from it.

On May 4th, 2010 . . . I couldn't sleep a wink (despite a pretty desperate need).  I anxiously awaited my 5:00 AM alarm ringing, signaling it was time to get ready to leave for my labor induction at the hospital.  I was giddy.  Nervous.  Ready for a new chapter of my life to begin.

On this May 4th, there are less nerves--hopefully more sleep--but also a slight sadness.  Tomorrow is Jackson's first birthday, and the day will be filled with candles, cheers, and lots of picture taking.  So very exciting!  But, tonight, it was just he and I in our quiet house--rocking.  I felt a little sad as he snuggled into his crib--thinking that his very first year of life, the one in which he wrapped my heart and soul around his finger, is drawing to a close.

Bittersweet.

Day Thirteen: A picture of your favorite band

Rascal Flatts

Know every song . . . every lyric . . . everytime.

Day Twelve: A picture of something you love



Okay, two pictures.

I love Roanoke, Virginia.

There is no better place in the world!  I will always consider Roanoke my home.  Everytime I visit the 'Noke, I literally feel a distinct and overwhelming warmth spread throughout my body.  Ronaoke is good for the soul.  Well, at least for my soul.

When I was growing up, I couldn't wait to "get away to someplace more exciting," but I've learned that no place on Earth compares to your hometown.  I would give almost anything to move back there and raise my family.

Perfectly Clear



In light of a comment received on my blog post entitled: Day Eleven: A picture of something I hate, I would like to react to the recent news of the heroic military efforts that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden. First, during the "30 Day Photo Challenge" that I have been working on, I prepare my blog posts in advance and schedule them for 8:00 AM posting. (No, I'm not awake in the wee hours of the day preparing these entries then flawlessly posting them at precisely 8 o'clock each morning . . . good as you think I am . . .) That being said, I did not hear the news of OBL's death then subsequently choose to express my negative opinions of President Obama. It was, contrarily, the opposite--unfortunate, bad timing. I won two superlatives my Senior year in high school: "Most Likely to be President" and "Most Opinionated." How can I live up to both of these titles . . . and run a public website . . . without looking like a jack a$$ every now and then?

Now, I would like to make a few things perfectly clear. I, like countless other proud Americans, tuned in to the late news yesterday evening. I jostled my snoring husband awake several times proclaiming "Look! Osama Bin Laden has been killed. Watch!" I experienced a bit of disbelief that it had finally happened as well as overwhelming satisfaction. Mostly, I considered the victory for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their families. How sweet it must have been to finally taste such overdue justice and closure. Nothing will ever resurrect their loved ones lost that September day, but OBL's death was surely a symbol that America has not forgotten these heros' sacrifice.

　

While I admit that my still-relavent opinions of Obama posted at a poor time, I would like to quote a friend's Facebook status from today:

Let's be clear on this: OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. American Military Personnel, who Obama just a few weeks ago was debating on whether or not to PAY, did. Obama just happened to be the one in office when our soldiers finally found OBL and took him out. This is NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!!

This statement is particularly dear to my heart. First because while United States Navy Seals risked life and limb to take down Al Qaeda's dangerous leader, I'd be willing to bet that Barack and Michelle still sat down to a nicely prepared dinner together that very evening . . . no blood, sweat, or tears lost. Please let's remember that while our President may have given the "go ahead," he most certainly did not GO AHEAD. So, God bless our miliatary servants who tirelessly give of themselves to ensure our American freedoms. And just think . . . if our greedy Congress members had not been able to essentially 'agree to revisit to save face' on our budget . . . those blessed Navy Seals would have killed OBL for free.  I thought we say "Freedom Isn't Free"? That's an interesting thought, isn't it?

It also merits mentioning that these vigilent efforts to track down and capture or kill Osama Bin Laden began on September 11th, 2001 (or before) with a gentleman named George W. Bush. I recall his promise to the American people that our country would not stop until OBL and his followers were brought to justice.  I certainly belive in giving President Obama credit for his continuing promotion of the search; however, I refuse to give him the all the credit. It was genuine political luck that OBL was killed during Obama's presidency. There were 7 years of ground work laid before he even stepped foot into the Oval Office. Let's not forget about that fact.

　

Lastly, while I take full responsibility for the terrible timing of my previous post, I do not apologise for its content. Osama or no Osama, I think our current President has disappointed the American people with the deafening lack of "Change" in the USA since he took office. I do not think the recent wonderful news has anything to do with frivolous government spending, socialized healthcare, and the like. The two are largely unrelated, and I maintain my strong opinion that the United States is in perhaps the worst financial and social state in which it has ever been.

No matter what breaking news airs, it would take a great deal of "Change" to silence that opinion.

Day Eleven: A picture of something you hate

As most of you know, I hate Obama . . . and just about everything he stands for.  One thing is for sure . . . every "Change" he has brought to the USA has been a negative one.

I do, however, LOVE this picture.

Dear Mr. President,

Thank you so much for wasting our hard-earned tax dollars to fund programs for those who don't work hard at all.  Thank you for driving the national deficit skyward.  Thank you for promoting abortion, continued foreign dependency for oil, socialized healthcare, and a disrespectful and humiliating defacement of ground zero.  We salute you.

Love,

Me



The Grand Feature Parade



Yesterday held the Bloom's most celebrated event:

The Grand Feature Parade

It was a lovely Spring day . . .



So naturally, we attended.

Even more exciting was that my friend, Megan, was up visiting for the Parade day.

We saw big-time celebrities,

And small-town celebrities.

We saw beautiful floats,

And spectacular animals.

of every shape, size, and color . . .

It was Jackson's very first parade . . . and my first parade in many, many years.

How we are loving that new-found hometown feeling!

Day Ten: A picture you and the person you do the most crazy things with



I know I have used the term "best friend" a lot . . . but this is my best friend Serena.

Once--back when we were in college--she made me a certificate declaring that we were "Offical Sisters" by our own accord.  So, technically, she's my little sister.

We don't only do "the most crazy" things together . . . generally speaking, we do everything together.  Sometimes, it's like we are the same person.

I am so very blessed to have Serena in my life.

Love you, Rena!